THE ESSENCE OF
PRESTIGIOUS LIVING
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ATHENA HUNG AND GEOFFREY WANG
– I still remember that at the launch ceremony of Club ZFU last year I said: “Club ZFU is not a social platform, it is a place for everyone to enjoy their own lifestyle and create a better life. When everyone has the same sophisticated sentiment and pursues similar tastes, friendship would naturally form.” My friendship with Athena Hung and Geoffrey Wang was naturally formed this way.
– One of them is a socialite, philanthropist and entrepreneur, while the other is an Executive Director, Acting Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of a listed company. The level they live at determines their quality of life which is bound to be sophisticated. Nevertheless, everyone has their own unique lifestyle and pace of life. They accepted my invitation for an interview, which was held at the office of Club ZFU at K11 Atelier in Tsim Sha Tsui. Athena arrived at the building in a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce while Geoffrey opted to take a ferry from Central to the Star Ferry pier and walked for ten minutes.
– Dressed in a sheer organza dress from Valentino’s new fall collection, Athena looked enchanting and elegant in the long dress with classical and romantic patterns in pure white. Athena was active in the social circle before becoming a businesswoman. She has a good aesthetic acumen and special preference for the splendour of luxury.
– As always, Geoffrey is dressed in a suit. He is tall and handsome, and his neat and sunny disposition meets the expectation of a successful businessman. After all, working as part of the management of a listed company does not give you many choices when it comes to the wardrobe for work.
– Instead of calling Athena by her Chinese name, I am more used to simply call her Athena. This English name can better capture her blend of Chinese and Western culture. It sounds more intimate to call her Athena, as she has been called Lady Hung, Dr. Hung, Chairman Hung etc., since she focuses on investment in mainland China in recent years.
– I am used to calling Geoffrey Wang a big brother. I wouldn’t usually make such a connection with someone to call them ‘brother’ so why would I hail Geoffrey as brother Wang? It is because Geoffrey Wang is a real gentleman in my heart. He embodies the good morals and aptitude of a gentleman. He is also a caring senior, who has supported me sincerely and encouraged me to pursue the ideals of Club ZFU. Calling Geoffrey Wang a big brother stems from a natural admiration. Without the word “big” preceding “brother”, it cannot aptly capture my respect of him.
– Both of them have worked hard to achieve all that they have accomplished today.. They are the truly successful people who are well respected and admired. Both of them can do whatever they like, and choose to pursue the lifestyle they would like to.
– Regarding a life of sophistication, they have their respective views.
“ The exemplification of a prestigious life is to set your heart at ease, master your time and live the way you like. ”
– GEOFFREY WANG
“ To live a prestigious life is to create meaningful values for a better life and enjoy the fruits of your endeavours. ”
– Athena HUNG
Athena believes that: “A respectable life is to work hard to create meaningful value for your life, to pursue a life of better quality, and to enjoy the fruits from struggle. It is also to influence people around you, and to inspire everyone to pursue their own ideals to create a beautiful life for themselves and their families. While enjoying a good life, you have to have a grateful heart, to help and treat those around you nicely, and help those in need to spread love.”
– Geoffrey thinks that: “We deserve to pursue a gorgeous, high-quality life and enjoy the wonder and abundance in life. For instance, in formal social and business occasions, having proper dress code and choosing fine materials of clothes are the necessary social etiquette, which shows the respect for others. He said, “I will not deliberately pursue luxury goods or show off a high-end lifestyle. It is because many ways like being able to master your own time, live according to the way I like, be carefree and at ease, are the manifestation of sophisticated living. I am grateful for everything in my life. I cherish and support the friends and good things around me. I hope that beautiful things will blossom everywhere. ”
– Athena and Geoffrey’s interpretation of a sophisticated life touches on their own lifestyle, which shares a common ground: treating people with gratitude and bringing positive influence and positive energy to those around them. This aptly captures their true selves.
There is no holiday in Athena’s life. She enjoys working and strives to create a more meaningful life every day. Often busy with researching various investment opportunities in Europe,
the cities in mainland China, her only leisure and entertainment may be the sightseeing tours and gourmet food arranged by her hosts (local government and enterprises). Despite her busy schedule, she contributes money and takes time to invest in the charity work of Hung Chi Ching Charitable Fund, which she established in 2008. She has contributed money to help those in need and spread love and happiness. It is worth mentioning that during the financial tsunami in 2008, when Hong Kong’s stock market plummeted and unemployment rate was high, Athena, the former singer issued a charity album “Walk with Love”, which contains many beautiful songs full of positive energy, thus motivating people to confront challenges with an optimistic attitude and proactively achieve success.
– For Geoffrey, despite the fact that he can always enjoy the luxury of a private jet or a super yacht, he can still take a tram or walk to work, so that he can cherish life and fully appreciate the bustling beauty of the city. As an avid lover of nature, he loves the grass and trees around him. He ever prefers to swim in a beach and be carefree.
– Born in a scholarly family, Geoffrey is a kind mentor and friend who is easy-going, enthusiastic and full of sentiments. His WeChat account is like
a diary, where he chronicles moments
in his life with true emotions and
eloquent writing. He brings warmth and
positive energy to people around him.
Therefore, Geoffrey is popular in both
business and political circles.
– At the end of the interview, they both showed encouragement and support for the exclusive concierge membership of Club ZFU.
– Athena said: “The innovative model and membership service of Club ZFU is pretty attractive. Even I have sampled global cuisine, I still look forward to the refreshing and delicious food recommended by Club ZFU. Many of my friends around me have often felt lost in their busy work life and neglected to enjoy a life of abundance that should have belonged to them. Club ZFU makes careful recommendations and arrangements for members in all aspects of life, so that busy entrepreneurs can have a great partner helping them to enjoy life and adjust to the pace of life. We hope Club ZFU’s services can be extended to all parts of the world, so that members can have a unique and distinguished experience in a foreign country.”
– Geoffrey said: “Kelvin, the Founder of Club ZFU, is a very trustworthy friend. What impressed me most and made me envious is that he is a young dad of four kids with positive energy and responsibility. I really appreciate this young man’s enthusiasm and drive to create a wonderful career. Club ZFU has its own uniqueness: it helps allocate and integrate the resources of many existing club houses and concierge services in Hong Kong to make them more effective. It satisfies the tastes of high-end business folks and caters to the specific needs of a niche segment. Many friends of mine belong to such a group, and I believe that as everyone gets to know each other and better understand themselves, more sparks will be generated and we can find a better match for each other. This will enable Club ZFU to create more unique and distinguished service that meets the specific needs of a niche market in Hong Kong. In doing so, more people would accept and trust Club ZFU. I wish Club ZFU will become better and better for everything.”
The interview with two friends took place in a congenial and warm atmosphere, which ended in a reluctant farewell. Athena rushed to the convention centre to attend a dinner party. Geoffrey also has his own arrangement. Even though the company’s limousine has been waiting downstairs, he insisted on walking to the Star Ferry pier to take a ferry back to Central. After shaking hands with each of our team members, Geoffrey left politely.
– After sorting out the photos taken during the interview, I sent them to Athena, who was on board a plane to Shanghai. Athena reminded me to confirm with her the photos that will be published so that she can show the most beautiful side of her. This has prompted me to add another note: in the sophisticated life of a woman, maintaining youthful beauty is a constant theme.
– When I greeted Geoffrey sometime later, I learned that he went to the Clock Tower and quietly enjoyed the charming night view of the Victoria Harbour after the interview. When “A Symphony of Lights”, a light show at the harbour front started at 8 o’clock, was on, he broadcasted the event live via his mobile phone so that his family members in Xinjiang could watch the splendour with him at the same time.
– When I learned on this, a warm picture emerged in my mind which made my admiration for him surface again.
– A respectful life can take on different definitions in each person’s mind. After all, pursuing life with avid passion and having sunshine in your heart to enlighten others in order to live a more meaningful life, is the true interpretation of a respectable life.
Words : Kelvin Yeung
#Vol.08
